Bore off center on 280 REM. handi barrel.

[jedman]

I had a 26" 280 REM. barrel fitted to my rifle at the factoy, after cleaning it up good I noticed the bore at the muzzle was way off center. I measured it with a dail caliper and it was about .065 off center, the OD at the muzzle was .685 and from the bore to the thickest part it was .267 and from the thinnest it measured about .138. I shot it with at least 50-60 rounds of factory and handloads and it didnt group worth a darn. I sent it back to NEF and they sent me another barrel and this one is about .015 off center at the muzzle. I have shot this alot and have been able to get some MOA 3 shot groups with it but you really have to let it cool a good while between shots or it groups errantly. Since the main use of the barrel is for hunting I decided to leave it alone and live with it even though when I look at the muzzle of this barrel it "BUGS" me.
What I was wondering does anyone else have this problem with any of there handi barrels ? I have 2 other barrels both 22" and they are on center.

[McLernon]

The bore should be centred. If it bugs you send it back. NEF QC should be catching this kind of thing from simple a visual inspection. They should pay for sloppy work!

Mc

[Fred M]

It is a sham, lately we have seen a lot of cross-eyed barrels where the bore is looking one way and the scope rail another, or the bore has the shape of a blunder buss( funnel shape).

H&R are trying to overcome their lack of stress relieving by drilling and rifling after the contouring ala Krieger. But they don't have the know-how nor the equipment to drill a straight hole.

Their in-house barrel making is simply pathetic.

[handirifle]

The 280 barrel was the last Handi barrel I shot from mine.  It too, was off center and I was very upset. Not to mention it shot patterns.  I'm giving NEF one more shot with the 38-55 I'm building but time will tell.  I hope I do not run into the same issue again, otherwise it too, will go down the road and I'll pick up a Uberti High Wall or Sharps.  Those are better guns for BPCR anyway, but I'm hoping I can make a 38-55 shoot well enough for my tastes.

[Mac11700]

They certainly have some issues...that's for sure...I would say call Gordon and let him know that your #2 replacement is bad as well...and have him issue a call tag for it...There is no reason you should have to deal with it like it is...Either they make it right...or they should refund your money...

Mac

[MSP Ret]

This might just be a problem with the .280's. I have had 2 full length .280 barrels and the bores were centered in the barrel, my 19" barrelled .280 however is a bit off center but it shoots well enough for what it is, actually it shoots better than it has to. I bought the barrel already shortened from a member here and he got it that way, I just had the muzzle squared off and remilled flat. I do not know if it was centered at the muzzle when it was full length. My gunsmith said to try it and I am happy I did since it shoots fine after redoing the muzzle, he also said he has run across many barrels with the bore off center when he shortens them and that the problem is not just limited to H&R's.....<><....  

[quickdtoo]

I'm real happy with my .280 Improved Ultra, it shot good enough as a .280 to have it rechambered to .280 Improved, shot a real nice group today doing load work, found a real sweet spot with a near start load. If my bore is off center, it isn't real obvious.

If it shoots good, I wouldn't worry about it, if it doesn't,  it may just need some more break in or the load you're shooting isn't a good one, but the .280 is normally a very accurate caliber in a Handi.

Tim

[wtroger]

Don't feel bad I just sent a 6.5 barrel back to Shilen the was a contoured blank that was .035 off at the muzzle and .047 off at the breach and had .084 run out between centers and that blank cost ovre $300.00 dollars. Send it back and keep sending it back until they get it right.

[Fred M]

Tim
That is a nice goup with the 280AI. All three barrels I had, had straight bores but were over sized. The two 223's I had rebored as you know to bigger calibers, but what I really wanted was a 223. I still havn't got one but the 6x47 is a good substitude.

You are right about having an Imp made with a barrel that shot good before the conversion.

I really think I should quit telling people what's wrong with their barrels, that way nobody feels bad. The biggest problem I see with over size barrels is that reloaders will use loading book powder charges and then find out they are shy by 100feet or more velocity according to the loading book. So they keep adding powder to make up velocity, that is the danger.

[quickdtoo]

Thanks Fred.

[jedman]

Thanks for all your replys, I am looking to get a lathe / mill machine soon so as to be able to make some wildcats and do some other ideas I have had . I think I might recontour the  280 barrel from the muzzle back to just in front of the forend lug, shorten it by about .500 and recrown it so its right to my eye.
As you might have noticed I am new to this forum and think its great to find so many others with similar interests.
I have been a gun nut all my life and have been handloading for over 35 years.  Jedman

[MSP Ret]

Welcome aboard jedman, nice to have you here with us. It looks as you will fit right in with the rest of us "gun nuts" and Handiholics buddy. A lathe and a milling machine, I wish you were my nieghbor!!. A friend of mine owned a "hobby shop" as a business making high grade machined prototypes, among some item he made were prototypes for ocean exploration and even some for space exploration. He could not keep an employee because he was so precise and critical in his requirements and work but for some reason we got along great. Many years ago he taught me to use his equipment, lathes, Bridgeport Milling Machine and such and allowed me the use of the shop, on occasion he even left me in charge of the shop while he did erreands, those were the days, I used to work on my 45's there. He moved away but I still fondly remember my times with a fully equipped fine machine shop at my disposal....<><....